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Game on for “Südtirol 2009”. The completely overhauled track and field stadium located just south of Bressanone/Brixen has been officially blessed at 11:55 am exactly 20 days ahead of the start of the World Youth Championship. The renovation cost almost € 850,000. 1500 athletes from 178 nations are expected from July 8th to 12th, among them maybe also two local South Tyroleans. The final tally will be available on June 22nd.

“I would like to extend my gratitude to all those who have lobbied for the creation of this facility in the ’70, particularly the former Mayor Zeno Giacomuzzi and his successor Klaus Seebacher” says current Mayor Albert Pürgstaller on the occasion of the ribbon-cutting ceremony. After 30 years, the facility has received new tracks. The tracks have been sponsored by local bank Raiffeisen Val d’Isarco/Eisacktal that covered the cost of €550,000. The state-of-the-art tracks have been awarded the 1a certification from the IAAF. Furthermore, the city of Bressanone/Brixen has made the stadium World-Championship-fit by investing a further €287,000 renovating the main stands and the press stands and creating an editorial room.  The President of the OC Rudi Rienzner, who is also President of the Raiffeisen Val d’Isarco/Eisacktal, sees the opening ceremony of the new stadium as a symbolic act. “Big events such as these World Championships make infrastructure renovations possible.”
It was fitting for a World Championship hosting competitors from 178 countries that the blessing was performed by the Comboni Missionary Pater Anthony from Uganda. “The future is together. The entire world will join and these World Championships will create opportunities to meet.” said soccer-enthusiast Pater Anthony who is also looking forward to the athletics event.
A visibly touched Stefano Andreatta, Event Manager of the WYC, thanked the LOC and all team members for the work done so far. “We are 110% ready for action and I am sure that by the time the WYC starts, we’ll be 120% ready.” Technical Director Bruno Cappello pointed out that the new Polytan tracks were necessary as the old ones did not stand all weather conditions anymore. Mr. Cappello further indicated that there might be two South Tyrolean participants at the WC. “The 22nd June is the last opportunity all athletes have to reach the necessary entry standards. Participation for the 100m runner from Bressanone/Brixen Matteo Didioni and 110 hurdles runner from Bolzano/Bozen Giada Busolli is looking good. It would be very gratifying for us to see these athletes at the start.” The former Combined Event coach for the Italian Federation is also Didioni’s current coach. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony took place at 11:55 am and was lead by Mayor Mr. Pürgstaller, President LOC Mr. Rienzner and several other honorary guests.